Leaders at SeaWorld have been testing the waters for an outright sale or a public stock offering.

According to published reports, SeaWorld Parks is attracting early buyout interest from a private equity firm, Apollo Global Management LLC, and from Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.

Since SeaWorld was sold to Blackstone Group in 2009, the tourism giant has continued to bring on hundreds of new employees in Orlando.

Parkgoers hope a new owner won't reverse that trend or pass on its costs to customers.

"I would hope it would be for the better, being that I've lived here for 46 years," said Raquel Beltran.

Beltran said she visits SeaWorld often, but a buyout could change that.

"I'm hopeful they won't raise prices like they do any time a new owner comes in," said Beltran.

The private equity firm Blackstone Group bought the parks for $2.3 billion. The rumored price this time is around $4 billion.

"If it's a profitable opportunity for them, then so be it," said Harvey Heard.

Heard is in the tourism industry and said the rumored asking price is an indication of how Orlando's tourism-based economy has rebounded. He's all but convinced a buyout would trickle down to customers.

"It definitely will effect you and I in the pocket," said Heard. "Ticket prices will definitely go up."

Locally, SeaWorld employs more than 6,000 full- and part-time employees.